Numerous blood drive opportunities exist in the Minot region in January, National Blood Donor Month.

Blood donors are especially vital at the start of a new year, following the holiday weeks when office and school blood drives are scarce and busy schedules cause a dip in donations, according to Vitalant. As a special thanks between Jan. 5-Feb. 8, Vitalant is giving donors 26 chances to win $500.

Blood drives in the region are:

– Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tioga Medical Center basement.

– Jan. 6, noon-6 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Bowbells.

– Jan. 6, 10:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m., Drake Anamoose High School, Drake.

– Jan. 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Fessenden Bowdon School gym, Fessenden.

– Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-2:15 p.m., Tioga High School.

– Jan. 8, 3-6:15 p.m., McClusky Community Center.

– Jan. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Belcourt Community High School.

– Jan. 12, 3-6 p.m., Just Serve Minot, 3740 Crossing St. SW.

– Jan. 13, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Hess Corp., Tioga.

– Jan. 15, 2-5 p.m., Gooseneck Implement, Minot.

– Jan. 15, 2-5:30 p.m., Turtle Lake Community Ambulance Bay.

– Jan. 15, 3-6 p.m., Underwood Ambulance Hall.

– Jan. 16, noon-4 p.m., Max High School gym

– Jan. 20, 2-6 p.m., Rickard Elementary School, Williston..

– Jan. 22, 10 a.m.1:30 p.m., MInot City Hall.

– Jan. 23, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Lee Suess LLC, Williston

– Jan. 26, noon-5 p.m., Divide County Courthouse, Crosby.

– Jan. 27, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot.

– Jan. 27, 12:15-6 p.m., Mohall Community Center.

– Jan. 28, 12:30 -5 p.m., Anamoose VFW Hall.

– Jan. 28, noon-4 p.m., Des Lacs Burlington High School library.

– Jan. 28, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 547 Tanker Trail, Minot Air Force Base.

– Jan. 29, 2:30-6 p.m., Maddock Community Center.

– Jan. 30, 5-7:30 p.m., West Minot Church of God.